162 NOTES ON THE HERON-. 



Before the Herons got established in their possessions, they and the Rooks, 

 (Gorvus frugilegus^ had a severe, or rather a series of severe battles, but 

 Mr. Heron came off victorious, and now woe to the poor Rook who ventures 

 on the island. I have heard it stated that the legs of the Herons might 

 be seen out of the nest behind while sitting; this is not the case. The 

 nest is formed very much like that of the Rook's, in many cases no larger; 

 the eggs, generally three in number, are of a beautiful green colour, varying 

 somewhat in shape, but about the size of the domestic fowl's; some of them 

 are ovate, pointed at the lower end; others are pointed at both ends. 

 I noticed many of the male birds with splendid crests, others of them very 

 small; it may be that some never have that appendage so full as others, or 

 that the latter are younger birds, for at least two years are required to perfect 

 the Heron's plumage. 



Altogether a Heronry is a most interesting sight, no less from its novelty 

 than a romantic beauty peculiarly its own. We wonder much to hear of 

 parties having such in their possession, destroying them. The birds do no 

 injury, their food consisting of eels, frogs, and the like; indeed they only 

 establish themselves in the vicinity of waters where such are to be found, 

 and are more benefit than otherwise. Rookeries are allowed and cherished — 

 aye, noisy Rooks — and why not the gentle Heron — a more interesting bird 

 we have not on our island; one, too, associated with by -gone days, when the 

 cry used to be at dawn of day — 



"Waken lords and ladies gay, &c." ' 

 Not as now — 



"Up in the mornings no for me." 



it may be well also to state that several pairs of Herons have this year, 

 for the first time, built their nests in a wood at a short distance from the 

 lake; not certainly for want of room on the island, "but every man to his 

 humour," as Shakspere says. 



Having said so much regarding the Heronry, we must take notice of four 

 other friends claiming our attention. Two by their restless activity, the 

 Water-hen, (GaVinuJa Chloropus,) and the Coot, (FuHca atra;) two by 

 their subdued quiet beauty, the Wild Duck, {Anas hoschas,) and the lovely 

 little Teal, (Querquedida o'ecca.) The two former breed on and around the 

 lake; the two latter disappear about this time, returning again generally in 

 the course of a few months with a goodly addition to their numbers. 



A deserted Dove-cot on the island is tenanted by a pair of White Owls, 

 {Strix Jlammea.) The Frogs, {Rana temporaria,) are swimming about most 

 lustily. 



Walking around the lake, our face turned homewards, we had the pleasure 

 of seeing some pairs of the Long-tailed Titmouse, {Parus caudatus,) and the 

 Cole Tit, (Parus ater,) both of which breed here in abundance. When we 



